I started this week by helping to deliver some training for UNISON branches on ‘Transgender Awareness’. I delivered the training in conjunction with my colleague who does identify as Transgender. It was a good opportunity for folks to ask those questions that they had always wanted to but were too afraid to ask. If you have any queries or questions yourself, then please contact Ben King or me, and we will answer any queries confidentially.

Tuesday saw another Staff Engagement Session for the Place Directorate and their consultation period has been extended to the 22nd November. I do urge Staff in that area to email HR or Ian Boll your suggestions and/or concerns.

Wednesday began with a Policy Sub-Group meeting. This is where HR bring draft policies to consult with Unions. Finally, we are a little nearer to a ‘TUPE Toolkit’ to help with the transition to unitary status. We will let you know when it goes live so that you know to access it on the intranet.

Also, on Wednesday, Gary & I met with HMICFRS who are conducting an inspection of the Fire Service in Northamptonshire. The Inspectors are going to be talking to Staff in the next couple of weeks. All conversations will be treated highly confidentially, and Staff are encouraged to engage with the process to give a true picture of their workplace.

Regional Staff arrived in force on Thursday to deliver our own in-house training on redundancy. We had 28 Stewards from around Northamptonshire attend which is really good, and so there will be plenty of folks around to help when you are all moved to a new employer.

Today is effectively the last day women in the UK are paid to work. Because of the gender pay gap the average woman is now working for free until the end of the year. So, if women aren’t getting paid, why should they work? The pay gap on average is 17.9% but for some women it’s even worse.
It’s Food for Thought!